The great national test – Israel Opinion, Ynetnews

Karl Vick, the Israel correspondent for Time Magazine, captured the current Israeli mood in a cover story published two weeks ago under the headline “Why Israel doesn’t care about peace.” His answer: Israelis don’t care because they live well, surrounded by happiness and wealth, within a growing economy, with a rising standard of living, a strong currency, and lively culture.

For Israelis, the occupation, the Palestinians, and the settlers have remained beyond the fence. If Israelis are losing sleep, it’s not because of some statement issued by Mahmoud Abbas, but rather, because of the deteriorating state of education and rising crime rate.

Regardless of whether Time’s insights are fully or partly accurate, they properly reflect the Israeli street as of the end of the summer of 2010. It is so similar to the Israeli street a decade ago, at the end of the summer of 2000.

In order to avoid another disappointment to begin with, Israelis have repressed the issue of peace deep into their unconsciousness. However, the repression is nearing its end. The wake-up call is at our doorstep.